Where can I get help with my hearing loss?
Millions of people around the world have some level of hearing loss. Even minor hearing loss can compromise your everyday life and impact your relationships. Hearing aids can help, but it’s crucial to know who to go to to find the right hearing solution for you. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know to receive help with hearing loss.
How Do Hearing Aids Help You?
If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, hearing aids can be incredibly beneficial. A hearing aid helps to improve the comprehension of speech and increase the volume of sounds, allowing you to better understand when people speak and decipher sounds around you.
Most people with hearing loss suffer from sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by damage to the nerves in the inner ear. It can develop for numerous reasons, including injury, illness, aging, medications, noise exposure, or genetics.
A hearing aid can help individuals with sensorineural hearing loss by magnifying sounds that are transmitted to the ear. Those sounds then pass to the brain to aid in comprehension.
Where to Get Help for Hearing Loss
If you suspect that you have suffered hearing loss or struggle to understand speech, it’s important to know where to turn for help. There are a few different options available to you. One is to look into an over-the-counter hearing aid. This is a solution that might work well for you if you have limited financial resources and are worried about having to spend thousands of dollars. You can receive a prescription from a hearing care professional who can give you a hearing test to determine your level of hearing loss. If you’re looking for an over-the-counter hearing aid, they can give you some recommendations.
Another option is to consider getting a hearing aid directly from your hearing care professional. After a hearing test is done, they can order a hearing aid tailored to your hearing loss so that you can enjoy a higher quality of life.
What Are the Different Types of Hearing Aids?
Depending on your type of hearing loss, the cause of your hearing loss, and whether you have hearing loss in both ears or only one ear, there are a variety of hearing aid options to choose from. That said, most hearing aids fall into three different categories: in-the-ear, behind-the-ear, and receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids.
The behind-the-ear hearing aid is made up of a plastic piece that sits on top of the ear and a thin mold that sits inside the ear. Those with hearing loss in one or both ears can benefit from this type, but it can be especially effective for those who have worse hearing loss in one ear over the other. These types of hearing aids are available in Super Power and Ultra Power, depending on what you need.
In-the-ear hearing aids are those that completely fit inside the ear. They’re good for individuals with hearing loss who want a discreet solution.
Receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids fit directly into the ear canal. The hearing aid sits behind the ear while the receiver sits in the ear canal. These are among the most popular styles of hearing aids today due to their small housing and sleek design.
Schedule A Consultation Today
Not all hearing aids are created equal. As such, not all hearing aids may be appropriate for you or your type or level of hearing loss. As a result, it’s important to speak with a qualified hearing care professional who can help determine the best option for you. If you are in or near Tuscaloosa, AL, or the surrounding area and want more information, contact Alabama Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists, LLC to schedule a consultation today. We can’t wait to help your world come into crystal clear clarity!
